On Wed, Jun 17, 2015 at 09:28:07AM -0400, D. Hugh Redelmeier wrote:
You are a quirky case. Not meant as an insult -- I'm a quirky case too. That probably means you should pay attention to why folks are making recommendations and not what the actual phone model they recommend.
As I understand it (and I've not been shopping), all phones sold through Microsoft Stores are running Windows Phone OS. Including BLU models. If you truly don't care about the OS (and things that go with it), the Microsoft Store often has very good prices. And they are always unlocked (a bonus even if you don't care now). I care about the OS and Windows Phone would not be my first choice.
Do you care about a physical keyboard? BB would seem to be the only game in town (probably not strictly true). And with BB's challenged business, my impression is that you can find them at a fairly good price. You probably want to try a keyboard before you buy a phone.
I like the idea of a Nexus 5 but it isn't clear that its strengths match your desires. I've been happy with my Nexus 4.
I hate the idea of being tied to a contract in return for a cheap handset up front. So much so that I'm probably blind to the rare cases where it is a win.
Well on the rogers plan I am on, the plan is $20/month cheaper per line if you bring your own phone, which makes buying an unlocked phone cheaper than getting it from rogers in my case. Only some of their plans have that option, others you are always paying the surcharge of getting subsidised phones and in the end you are always overpaying for it. -- Len Sorensen